Wednesday saw two of the stronger Boys HS teams in Massachusetts get on the field as Belmont HS ran past Bishop Hendricken 29-5.

This was a rematch of the state finals in 2013 and 2014, which the two teams split, and the first 15 minutes saw plenty of open play and physicality and each team tried to establish superiority.

Belmont threatened first, putting together a good sequence of phase play. But Bishop Hendricken got the ball back and attacked close to the Belmont line. But a nice interception from senior Peter Durkin, a basketball player turned flyhalf turned second row, ended that attack.

Finally someone got on the board when Belmont attacked from a scrum, and the ball was moved quickly to Campbell who chipped the ball over the defenders, retrieved it on the full, and dotted down for the try. Campbell converted his own try to make it 7-0.

Once again, though, Hendricken was on the offensive. But Belmont weathered the attack and Campbell sliced through the defense and put the ball into the hands of debutant flanker Marco Perrone, who took on his defender and was driven over the line by lock Nick Ryan to make it 12-0.

Led by senior hooker Kyle Ciquerra, the Hawks worked their way into Belmont territory once more, and exploited some penalties to score on an eight man pick to make it 12-5, which is how the first half ended.

Belmont began the second half down a player due to a yellow card, but they handled it well enough and with Ryan and No. 8 Bryce Christian defending superbly. It was Christian’s poach that led to another attack and a second try for Campbell. McCready kicked the extras to make it 19-5. McCready then set up Campbell for the flyhalf’s third, and a 24-5 lead.

Belmont had one more chance to close the door on their guests, whom they had never defeated in the regular season, and Perrone, busy all night, scored his second try. The home side now up, 29-5.

The visitors continued to tackle with full commitment, but could only sustain the pressure for so long. Hendricken's struggles continued when one of their loose forwards was yellow carded for repeated high tackles.

Belmont had one more chance to close the door on their guests, whom they had never defeated in the regular season, and Perrone, busy all night, scored his second try. And that finished it off, 29-5.

The Belmont effort, with Deshawn Frederick, Omar Escobar, and Jacob Hale all contributing, helped secure an excellent result for Belmont, who are now 2-0.